INDIA, December 17, 2020 (Indian Express): Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Minister of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy) Shripad Yesso Naik formally promoted yogasana as a competitive sport during an event here. The move was made to encourage yoga, spread awareness about its benefits and to help improve physical and mental wellbeing of the people. “Yogasana has been a competitive sport for a long time. But it has to be recognized by the Government of India so that it becomes an official and recognized competitive sport,” Rijiju said.
An International Yogasana Sports Federation was formed under the president-ship of yoga Guru Baba Ramdev with Dr. H. R. Nagendra as secretary general in November last year. A National Yogasana Sport Federation of India (NYSFI) was also established for preservation and development of yoga as a competitive sport. It was recognized by the sports ministry as a National Sports Federation (NSF) last month. Rijiju said the sports ministry will start by providing financial support to the NYSFI so that the federation can chart out its plan for the coming year. “Till now it wasn’t recognized but now that it has come under us, the Sports Ministry will start by providing the NYSF with financial support to make their annual training and calendar.” “The reason behind making yoga a competitive sport is to encourage its practice and to help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the people,” Naik said.